I found it on the nightstand and called Cruz.He answered with a groggy curse, followed by, “Do I need to kill you or someone else?”
“Want to go for a run?”I asked.
“Hell, man, I wassleeping.”
“And now you’re awake.Run?”
“You’re getting really annoying, you know that?”
I waited.He liked it when I spent time on conditioning—it was one of management’s issues with me.The top brass seemed to think I didn’t give weight training and diet the full respect they deserved.I liked to party.What twenty-three-year-old man didn’t?Weirdos and nerds, that was who.
When I first sat down at that table the night we met, I would have classified Millie as a straight-up nerd.She’d wornpearlsand a dress that buttoned to her neck.But when those pretty eyes met mine, not even her thick frames could hide the gorgeousness in those peepers.
After all the texts and a flurry of phone calls, after meeting up with her again, I was entranced by her brilliance.And she’d worn contacts to Naese’s party the next week, so I’d had a clear view of her beautiful eyes and the sweet, soft curve of her cheek.I’d been half in love with herbeforewe had sex.
And then the sex blew my mind.So much so that I’d passed on the chance to fuck a lot of women since.I hadn’t been interested, because I was sure Millie had felt the connection, too.We could be so good together.We’d proven it—not just in bed, but with the thousands of texts that came before.
But she’d ghosted me.
I pounded my fist against the mattress and clutched my phone tighter.I had to stop thinking about her.She didn’t want me.
That hurt like a motherfucker, but it was true.I had to stop hoping for more than she was willing to give.I wouldn’t beg for crumbs of affection.Been there, done that, hated myself for it.
“Are you running with me or not?”I snapped.
Cruz sighed.“Give me twenty.”
That’s why Cruz was the best.I tossed my phone back on my nightstand and rubbed my hands across my face.
Ihadto stop thinking about Millie.Had to.
I didn’t.I texted her instead:Thinking about you.Missing you.
Same refrain, different day.
Miraculously, though, this time those three little bubbles appeared.I held my breath.They disappeared, and my chest seemed to cave.
They reappeared again.
Hope fluttered.
You are the most amazing man I’ve ever met.
Score!She’s talking to me!
But I’m in Sri Lanka for the next few years.I won’t be coming back to the States.I’m sure you’ll find someone in Houston you want to be with.
Why would she say that?
It’s best that we don’t talk any more.Nothing can come of it.
I slammed my fists into my mattress again and again.That wasn’t what I wanted.I wanted to…
What?
I wanted to be with her even though she was halfway around the world?How would that work?Millie was being logical.Smart.
What was this about—shit!Emotions.I’d never caught feelings for a woman before, and then she’d moved away before I had the chance to explore what it could be like.
